While doing my Owl Prowl at Cedars of Lebanon State Park, Buddy Ingram asked me if I could come back the following Wednesday morning and take a group of kids from Trousdale County out to see some birds. Of course, I answered. Not everyone has an interest in just one subject. That’s why “Our Feathered Friends” has certain readers, as well as “Telling Tales” and our resident fisherman and hunter, John Sloan.

Bright and fairly early, I made my way to Cedars, looking forward to hiking up the concrete walkway past Hermit Cave in hopes of locating a few birds. The school buses had taken a wrong turn and were waiting up by the swimming pool when we discovered that they would be late. Buddy had planned on breaking the school bunch into groups of 17 which made four groups. The best time to find birds, especially during migration is first light in the early morning. It was almost 10:15 a.m. before we could get started, and the first thing they wanted to do was drink from the hose pipe down on the corner by the Nature Center. The birds were too quiet and there was nothing stirring except a Red-bellied Woodpecker. We looked all over the Jackson Cave area and then went out toward the Dixon Merritt ½-mile trail. Everything there was also muted till we took a short cut off the trail into the field next to where the Ranger's horses are stabled.

There in the field, staying out of sight, but still singing was an Indigo Bunting and a White-eyed Vireo. From the woods to the field I spotted a fire ant nest which should be taken care of before they can spread. Just to be sure, I took a small stick and raked it across the nest and within a few seconds there were thousands swarming all over. I found myself getting out of Dodge before they could find me. There weren’t too many birds out that late in the day, but one of the young ladies spotted three Bluejays flying overhead, and that fired a little excitement from the group.

Buddy Ingram took his bunch of kids out on the hay wagon for a tour of the park. The splinter-mobile was enjoyed by all of the groups. Grant Sherrod, a seasonal naturalist, showed off the Screech Owl and gave tours of the Dixon Merritt nature center, which in parts resembles a cave. Ranger Shauna Bridger took her charges down to the Jackson Cave area and over to Hermit Cave. Like most field trips, I believe that the children just enjoyed getting away from school for a period of time, but they were really interested in our areas of knowledge.

My friend Maggie Whiteaker sent me an e-mail asking if I would like to go to the James E. Ward Agricultural Center Saturday morning at 9 a.m. for the Wilson County Master Gardeners’ Spring Festival and Garden Tour. It is free and so is parking. I am in hopes of picking up some pointers on how to make my small garden more proficient and get a greener thumb. Something else I would like to learn is how to keep people from stealing my vegetables without the use of a 12-gauge and rock salt. I am also in hopes that I can get back in time to plant a row of okra before the rain gets here.

I didn't get to plant my okra before the rains came. But sitting beneath my Tree Swallow nesting box, the female came flying into it, and you should have heard the babies inside. I do not want to open the nest as I am afraid something could cause the little ones stress.

My Bluebird crew has already fashioned a new nest and has four eggs laid. I will check again tomorrow to see if another has been produced. This is the second brood, and I hope that some of the first brood will show up to give mom and pop a hand. They have been very secretive, as today, May 14, is the first time to see them in my backyard in over a month.

With all the school district facing high gas prices and budget shortfalls, it’s beyond my comprehension why they don't take advantage of our Cedars of Lebanon State Park here in their own backyard. I, for one, would enjoy helping with any program for our children.

We would love to hear from you as to what’s lurking about in your neighborhood and at your feeders. You can e-mail Karen Franklin at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and you can write me at 606 Fairview Ave., Lebanon, TN, 37087, or e-mail me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it